Rapids Fans,
Conference rivals Sporting Kansas City (TICKETS) are tonight's visitors to Dick's Sporting Goods Park for a Memorial Day weekend encounter, and the first of four successive home games in MLS - and we are expecting a standing room only crowd!
After the disappointment of back-to-back reversals at Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union, the next run of games offers a wonderful opportunity to make home feel like a fortress once again and lift ourselves back into the playoff picture.
Following Sporting KC this evening, we then host Columbus Crew SC (TICKETS) next weekend - at which we will induct Conor Casey into our Gallery of Honor - before tackling Portland Timbers (TICKETS) and LA Galaxy (TICKETS) the other side of the break for World Cup qualifiers.
On the subject of World Cup qualifiers, we are immensely honored and proud to be the venue for the USMNT versus Trinidad & Tobago on June 8. Fans of club and country can buy tickets to the USA game, as well as four select Rapids games in a superb five-game pack. Details can be found HERE.
Great job, meanwhile, by the U23s on Thursday night, as they came from behind to defeat FC Tucson 2-1 in their opening home game in the PDL. A good number of Development Academy players have featured in the U23’s first two games, which is an awesome sign for the future.
Now, the focus for fans is often the First Team, but a group of athletes very much part of the club were involved in a special occasion last week. Athletes from the Special Olympics Unified Team held their official signing day, before collecting their kit for the new season. Their first game will be against counterparts from Columbus Crew SC, with this encounter taking place after the MLS match on June 3. Please do stick around to support them. Watch the video HERE.
Back to this evening's game, and fans not wishing to drive to the stadium can take advantage of the RTD's bus and light rail system, which comes into effect today. The new University of Colorado 'A-Line' and the RTD 62 bus route is a great way to travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Click HERE for full details.
Though not new, it is returning … the 50/50 raffle. Fans may purchase tickets online at www.5050colorado.com and in person throughout Dick's Sporting Good Park from the time the doors open until approximately midway through the second half for Rapids games. One lucky fan will win half of the net proceeds from Saturday's raffle ticket sales. The other half will benefit Colorado Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), Kroenke Sports Charities and other designated charities dedicated to youth sports programs in Colorado. You do not have to be present to enter.
Burgundy Boulevard, located outside of Gate F on the west side of the stadium, opens at 4:00 p.m. There will be the usual $3 Budweiser and Bud Light in Eighteen76, as well as the SoccerFest Family Zone, the Toyota Soccer Kick Inflatable, yard games, and giveaways. Plus, Biker Jim's Food Truck will be on site, while Denver-based rock band AMZY return with a live performance as part of the Bud Burgundy Concert Series, from 5:00 p.m.
The Rapids Poster Series continues this evening. These wonderful posters are sold during select home games, to benefit Kroenke Sports Charities. A limited number will be released, each featuring a different local artist’s design. Click HERE to find out about tonight's poster. These are $10 each and will be available for purchase at Burgundy Boulevard prior to gates opening, and at the top of Section 129 in-stadium.
Thank you for coming out to this evening's game. Have a safe journey home, and we look forward to welcoming you again on June 3 for the game against Columbus Crew SC.
Come on you Rapids!
Tim Hinchey
President
